Sheriff tries to revoke stores’ alcohol licenses

Published: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:42 p.m.

A hearing was held Monday to revoke the alcohol license of Houma-based Kee Foods, one of three Terrebonne Parish convenience stores accused of running large-scale synthetic marijuana operations that were raided June 26, the Terrebonne Sherriff’s Office said.

State Alcohol and Tobacco Control officials heard evidence about Kee’s alleged violations and will issue a decision Wednesday, deputies said.

To maintain an alcohol license, owners must follow certain guidelines and must not engage in illegal activity, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.

“If you apply for a liquor license in the state of Louisiana, you’re expected to abide by the laws in the state of Louisiana,” he said.

The raid also involved Fast Stop-n-Go in Gray and Alma Street Discount in Houma. About 100 law enforcement officers, including representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of Homeland Security and State Police, conducted the raid, DEA Special Agent Roberto Bryan said.

The sting was part of the largest synthetic marijuana crackdown in the country and was code named Project Synergy. Agents in 35 states descended on suspected synthetic marijuana operations to execute 375 search warrants, arresting about 150 people.

Hearings for the other local stores that were raided are pending, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Despite the raids, all of the stores are still open for business. That’s something Larpenter said he finds surprising.

“How did they reopen when their owners are in jail and we seized their assets?” he said. “But apparently they have connections.”

A state grand jury indicted 13 people July 8 in connection with the alleged drug rings, according to court documents.

The local operations earned about $1.3 million, and about $250,000 worth of synthetic marijuana was confiscated from the stores, officials said.

Authorities are still searching for two suspects, one of whom is believed to be back in Yemen.

<p>A hearing was held Monday to revoke the alcohol license of Houma-based Kee Foods, one of three Terrebonne Parish convenience stores accused of running large-scale synthetic marijuana operations that were raided June 26, the Terrebonne Sherriff's Office said. </p><p>State Alcohol and Tobacco Control officials heard evidence about Kee's alleged violations and will issue a decision Wednesday, deputies said.</p><p>To maintain an alcohol license, owners must follow certain guidelines and must not engage in illegal activity, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.</p><p>“If you apply for a liquor license in the state of Louisiana, you're expected to abide by the laws in the state of Louisiana,” he said.</p><p>The raid also involved Fast Stop-n-Go in Gray and Alma Street Discount in Houma. About 100 law enforcement officers, including representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of Homeland Security and State Police, conducted the raid, DEA Special Agent Roberto Bryan said. </p><p>The sting was part of the largest synthetic marijuana crackdown in the country and was code named Project Synergy. Agents in 35 states descended on suspected synthetic marijuana operations to execute 375 search warrants, arresting about 150 people.</p><p>Hearings for the other local stores that were raided are pending, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>Despite the raids, all of the stores are still open for business. That's something Larpenter said he finds surprising. </p><p>“How did they reopen when their owners are in jail and we seized their assets?” he said. “But apparently they have connections.”</p><p>A state grand jury indicted 13 people July 8 in connection with the alleged drug rings, according to court documents.</p><p>The local operations earned about $1.3 million, and about $250,000 worth of synthetic marijuana was confiscated from the stores, officials said.</p><p>Authorities are still searching for two suspects, one of whom is believed to be back in Yemen.</p>